By our correspondent
KARACHI: Dr Luo Dapeng, the World Health Organization’s representative in Pakistan, visited Sindh this week to observe the province’s ambitious measles–rubella vaccination campaign, which aims to protect nearly eight million children. During his visit, Dr Luo met frontline health teams and witnessed firsthand the logistical efforts and outreach strategies designed to reach children not only in bustling urban centers but also in remote villages, where access to healthcare remains limited.
The campaign forms a crucial part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to tackle vaccine-preventable diseases, which continue to pose a serious threat to young children across the country. Health officials stressed the importance of community engagement, explaining that convincing parents of the benefits of vaccination and addressing local concerns were key to improving participation, particularly in areas that have historically recorded low immunization coverage.
Dr Luo commended the dedication of health workers, who often operate under difficult conditions to deliver vaccines safely and efficiently. He highlighted that achieving high immunization coverage is essential not only for protecting individual children but also for establishing herd immunity, which can prevent outbreaks and safeguard entire communities from potentially life-threatening diseases.
The Sindh campaign is among the largest of its kind this year, demonstrating the ongoing collaboration between provincial health authorities, the WHO, and other development partners. Officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring that every eligible child receives the vaccine, framing comprehensive immunization as a critical step towards reducing child mortality and shielding communities from preventable illnesses.
